FIRST MAN ON THE MOON

On 21 July 1969, American Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the Moon. Eagle landing craft. As he put his left foot down first Armstrong declared: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." He described the surface as being like powdered charcoal and the landing craft left a crater about a foot deep.

Take off

On 16 July 1969, the Saturn V rocket launched Apollo 11 into the sky from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.

The Crew

Neil Armstrong, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, Michael Collins

The Lunar Module

To land on the moon, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin used a lunar module nicknamed Eagle. When they landed Neil sent the following message back to Earth

"Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed."

NELSON MANDELA

Nelson Mandela was born on 18 July 1918. He served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Mandela was not afraid to challenge things that were wrong and he suffered for his beliefs.

Unfair system

Mandela grew up in South Africa under system of segregation called Apartheid. Non-white people couldn't use libraries, beaches, parks and toilets that were reserved for white people. Black people and people of mixed race could not go to school with white people or play on sport teams with them. All the rules of the country were made by white Africans.

Sent to prison for his beliefs

Nelson Mandela dedicated his life to the struggle for racial equality in South Africa. He spent 27 years in prison for opposing the South African system of segregation.

South Africa today

Today, thanks to the self-sacrifice of Nelson Mandela, apartheid has been outlawed. Everyone in South Africa now has an equal opportunity at home and at work to live comfortable, productive lives. Nelson Mandela is one of the world's true freedom fighters, and his life and personal triumphs will be remembered for many years.

VIRGIN OF CARMEN_ 16TH JULY

The Virgin of Carmen is the patron saint and protector of fishermen and sailors. Religious Virgins are hugely popular in Andalucia (Spain); they are normally handcrafted from wood and porcelain and spend 99.9 per cent of the year at the local church. Most are dusted down and placed on flower-decked thrones at Easter-time when they are lovingly and solemnly borne through the streets. The Virgen del Carmen, however, has her own special day.

On the evening of July 16, in the fishing villages and towns up and down the Coast, her much-loved effigy is not only paraded through the streets but also taken for a spin round the bay on a flower-adorned boat, accompanied by a flotilla of "jábegas" (fishing boats). Brass bands play, crowds cheer, rockets shoot off and fireworks fill the late dusk sky.

Celebrations vary slightly from town to town. In Málaga, for example, the procession takes place not only on July 16, but on the following Sunday. A recent Malagueñan tradition, started in 1981, shows the Virgen del Carmen embracing all lovers of the sea - including scuba divers. That year, the City scuba diving club placed an image of their patron at the bottom of the sea and since then divers have paid their underwater homage annually.

The festival is especially important in the fishing villages of neighbouring Rincon de la Victoria and La Cala, both of which have the Virgen del Carmen as their town patron.

To understand why the Virgen del Carmen should be held so dear to the inhabitants of towns such as Estepona, Velez Malaga, Torremolinos and Rincon de la Victoria, we need to go back to the Old Testament. Downshifting in his old age, the prophet Elias retreated to a cave in Mount Carmelo near Haife (Israel). Many centuries later, hermits following in Elijah's footsteps asked for the protection of the Virgin Mary of Mount Carmelo - the Virgin of Carmen. Stella Maris, as she was also known, was soon adopted by mariners and fishermen everywhere as their patron.

Although long overtaken by tourism, many Costa towns still retain fishing communities and a strong attachment to "la Reina de los Mares" (the Queen of the Seas). It was once believed - perhaps in the days before water-purifying plants! - that the Virgin cleared up the waters with her presence and that only after July 16 would the sea be fit for swimming in.

                                             

ST. SWITHIN'S DAY - 15 JULY

St. Swithin's Day is 15 July, a day on which people watch the weather for tradition says that whatever the weather is like on St. Swithin's Day, it will continue so for the next forty days.

There is a weather-rhyme is well known throughout the British Isles since Elizabethan times.

'St. Swithin's day if thou dost rain

For forty days it will remain
St. Swithin's day if thou be fair
For forty days 'twill rain nae mair.'

dost = does

thou = you
nae mair = no more.

Who was St. Swithin?

St. Swithin (or more properly, Swithun) was a Saxon Bishop of Winchester. He was born in the kingdom of Wessex and educated in its capital, Winchester. He was famous for charitable gifts and building churches.

Why do people watch the weather on St. Swithin's day?

A legend says that as the Bishop lay on his deathbed, he asked to be buried out of doors, where he would be trodden on and rained on. For nine years, his wishes were followed, but then, the monks of Winchester attempted to remove his remains to a splendid shrine inside the cathedral on 15 July 971. According to legend there was a heavy rain storm either during the ceremony or on its anniversary.

This led to the old wives' tale (folklore) that if it rains on St Swithin's Day (July 15th), it will rain for the next 40 days in succession, and a fine 15th July will be followed by 40 days of fine weather.

However, according to the Met Office, this old wives' tale is nothing other than a myth. It has been put to the test on 55 occasions*, when it has been wet on St Swithin's Day and 40 days of rain did not follow

* source: the book entitled 'Red Sky At Night'

What symbols are associated with St. Swithins?

The emblems of St. Swithin refer to the legend of the forty days' rain (raindrops) and the apples from the trees he planted.

Apples and St. Swithuns

"St Swithin is christening the apples" Brand, Popular Antiquities, 1813, i, 342

There is an old saying when it rains on St. Swithin's Day, it is the Saint christening the apples.

Apple growers ask St. Swithin for his blessing each year because they believe:

•Rain on St. Swithin's day 'blesses and christens the apples'.

•No apple should picked or eaten before July 15th.

•Apples still growing at St Swithin's day will ripen fully.

BASTILLE DAY 14TH JULY

What is Bastille Day?

Bastille Day is the French national holiday which is celebrated on 14 July each year. It commemorates the storming of the Bastille, which took place on 14 July 1789 and marked the beginning of the French Revolution.

At one time in France, kings and queens ruled. Many people were very angry with the decisions made by the kings and queens.

What was Bastille?

The Bastille was a prison in France that the kings and queens often used to lock up the people that did not agree with their decisions.

Why was the Bastille prison attacked by the French people?

To many people, the prison was a symbol of all the bad things done by the kings and queens, so the storming of the prison was a symbol of liberty (freedom) and the fight against oppression for all French citizens

The French Revolution and the End of the Monarchy

The storming of the Bastille was the beginning of the French Revolution. Like the American Revolution, the French Revolution brought great changes. Kings and queens no longer rule France. The people rule themselves and make their own decisions.

On 21 September 1792 France became a republic.

POBRE DE MÍ, THE END-CEREMONY OF SANFERMÍN

At midnight on the 14th July the fiesta formally closes with the ceremony called the "Pobre de Mí."

This takes place in front of the Town Hall, where the fiesta was opened 8½ days earlier. There are other events also taking place in the city, (such as the Peñas gathering in the main square - the Plaza del Castillo, for their own celebration).

However, in front of the Town Hall a large crowd gathers to sing "Pobre de Mí, Pobre de Mí, que se han acabado las fiestas, de San Fermín." (Poor me, poor me, for the fiesta of San Fermín has come to a close).

This is a very sad occasion because it is the end of the fiesta, (though many are relieved because they cannot take any more), but they still look forward to next year and even sing "Ya falta menos" (there is not long to go).

In fact, the Pobre de mí is the end of a long day of farewells; the farewell of the Giants takes place in the morning. There is also the farewell of the Peñas in the Plaza de Toros in the evening.

SAN FERMÍN 2014_ OPENING CEREMONY (CHUPINAZO)

MALAGA'S 'MUELLE UNO' IN SUMMER

Muelle Uno is a large open-space leisure and recreation area which opened just over 2 years ago as part the ambitious remodelling of MalagaPort. With more than 50 shops and restaurants as well as cultural activities and events, it’s a required stop for anyone visiting Málaga. 

Just a short walk from Malaga’s buzzing city centre, 

Muelle Uno is the perfect place to finish up your city tour. Why? Well here’s 9 reasons…

1)      The views: The large terrace area and wide selection of bars and restaurants provide the ideal location to sit and take in the breathtaking views of Málaga port and Málaga’s city’s main attractions – The Cathedral and the Alcazaba – providing the perfect backdrop. The sunset’s aren’t too bad either! (See photo above)

2)      The shops: Large name brands as well as smaller specialised businesses have establishments in Muelle Uno. If you’re looking for the latest fashion accessories, shoes and other complements, you won’t be disappointed. This shopping centre is open from midday until midnight in the summer months.

3)      Culture: During the summer months (July & August) there’s a wide selection of activities available to visitors including: Open air cinema, specialised workshops and live music concerts.

4)      The Street Markets: Muelle Uno’s main boulevard also hosts various street markets which sell ecological products, arts and crafts, natural products and more. The perfect place to find those elusive holiday gifts for family and friends back home!

5)      Classical Music Recitals: If you love classical music, then you’ll have to head down to the Chapel in the port where the Malaga Provincial Youth Orchestra offers classical music recitals every Sunday at 9:00pm (July & August).

6)      DJ Sessions and Live Saxophone: Watch the amazing sunset’s listening to the DJ sessions every Wednesday evening or live saxophone every Thursday; both take place at 9:00pm.

7)      The Food: You won’t leave Muelle Uno hungry, that’s for sure. There’s a wide and varied selection of restaurants and bars including: A Michelin star restaurant, Pizzeria, Typical Malaga fish restaurants, Mexican, Icecream parlour’s and Tapas bars to name but a few.

8)      Children’s activities: Muelle Uno is extremely child friendly with various areas dedicated to Kid’s parks with fun climbing frames and swings. There are also muppet shows and the possibility of hiring bicycles and scooter to whiz around the port on!

Thanks to Sunset Beach Club